The Lake Report By: Blake Kellum, SJRA

March 5, 2013

Looking out my office window this morning, across the southern expanse of Lake Conroe, the scene reminds me more of looking out of the cabin window of a crab boat on an episode of Deadliest Catch. There are 4 to 5 foot swells, with white frothy tops cascading down the lake under a 35 mile per hour north wind... yesterday I was in shorts and a t-shirt; today it’s back to the jacket and long pants.

Unfortunately this front, as has been the case lately, passed through with little or no rainfall to help with the continuing drought. Make no mistake, Southeast Texas remains in a severe drought and predictions for the coming year are not encouraging. Evaporation rates under windy, sunny, and cool conditions can almost match those of a hot summer day.

Lake Conroe remains 2 ¾ feet below normal pool elevation and is reporting in at 198.25 msl. Normal pool elevation is 201.00 msl. The San Jacinto River Authority is making no releases from the Dam at this time.

Lake Livingston, meanwhile, remains a little above full pool at 131.20 msl (normal pool is 131.00 msl), and the Trinity River Authority is releasing 1,000 cfs through the Dam.

This report is the last that I will submit as the SJRA’s Lake Conroe Division Manager. After nearly 30 years of public service I have elected to retire early in order to pursue some other exciting opportunities. I intend to keep my fingers on the pulse of the surface-water industry, and particularly, how it impacts Southeast Texas.

See you on the water!

For Lake Conroe info – www.sjra.net

For Lake Livingston info – www.trinityra.org